Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart Luke 18:1 (read vv. 1-14)

INTRO: When I was first starting out in the ministry and trying to teach others how to pray,

I would make statements, like, “Prayer does not need to be fancy,” and “You don’t have to say anything holy, just talk to God”
– that statement is deceptively simple
– how do we know if we are talking to God or to the air? or to ourselves? Continue reading →

The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, “Look, here it is! or, “There it is!” For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst. Luke 17:20-1 (read verses 20-37)

INTRO: I have frequently been asked why I think my dad’s church grew so rapidly

Among the other lame answers I give, I explain that most of the rapid growth occurred during what was an apocalyptic era
– the revolutionary 1960’s that ended in many shattered dreams
– the youth were looking for an authority who understood the times, who seemed to have a handle on what was next
– in the late 60’s, Dad began emphasizing biblical prophecy — current events had a purpose, an apocalyptic meaning
– like others, he was inspired by Israel’s 1967 war and once again having Jerusalem under their control Continue reading →

He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come!” Luke 17:1 (read vv. 1-19)

INTRO: A friend of mine mentioned a book to me about jerks in the workplace

In it, the author says, “More and more evidence keeps emerging that power causes people to be more focused on their own needs, less focused on others’ needs, and to ack like ‘rules don’t apply to me’ . . . .” Experiments “also show when people get a little power, they feel less compassion when hearing others talk about painful experiences, such as the death of a friend.” (Robert Sutton)

Moving up the ladder in status, position, or income changes a person
– not in the ways we tend to assume – that is, they do not become more generous, but less Continue reading →

There was a rich man . . .” Luke 16:1 (read entire chapter)

INTRO: Francis Schaeffer once said: “We are often told, ‘You can’t take it with you.’ But this is not true. You can take it with you–if you are a Christian.”

Of course, the truth of this statement depends on what we mean by “it”
– regarding whatever money we accumulate, we can’t take it with us
– but we can send it ahead – or something like that

That is the message in the first part of this chapter
– the second half is about regret
– what is regret? It is a feeling of disappointment or sadness over: Continue reading →

Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:2 (read entire chapter)

INTRO: We are going to enter this chapter at an unusual point

I want to begin with you . . . and  your most sincere honesty

1. Do you believe people accept you unconditionally as you are?
   – think of the attention we give to our appearance before going out
2. Do you accept yourself unconditionally as you are?
   – I don’t mean, that you can’t think of any more improvements to make, but your core self Continue reading →

Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Luke 13:2-3 (read chapter 13)

INTRO: When Barb got home from work yesterday evening, the first thing she did was look for more news regarding the downed helicopter in Afghanistan

An unusual loss like that grabs our attention
– we are moved by empathy for those who died and feel like we’ve lost a part of ourselves

But I also think we have a built-in mechanism to keep tragedies like that at a distance
– “It happened far away,” we tell ourselves, or, “They were soldiers in combat,” etc.
– we look for explanations to reassure ourselves (and our children) that this kind of thing cannot happen to us Continue reading →

Peter said, “Lord, are You addressing this parable to us or to everyone else as well?” Luke 12:41 (read verses 41-48)

INTRO: Peter’s question brings something to our attention

That during this teaching session, there were two groups present

– v. 1, the crowd, in which people were climbing over each other to get to Jesus, and the disciples

(in v. 13 we are reminded of the crowd, but in v. 22 Jesus addressed the disciples)

Peter’s question serves an important function: it clarifies who it is that Jesus is trying to instruct and influence

I have heard preachers relativize the teaching of Jesus by isolating passages that, they say, were meant only for the disciples, suggesting they were called to a greater commitment than the rest of his followers Continue reading →

Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. Luke 12:36 (read verses 35-48)

INTRO: Try to imagine yourself in this situation:

You’re on the road tomorrow–heading out for work, the store, or vacation–and your car starts making a strange noise. A quarter mile down the road, your engine dies. When you take it into a shop, the mechanic tells you that there was extensive damage to the engine and transmission, and it is going to cost $5,000.00 to repair.

What do you feel, knowing you are without a car until you can afford $5,000.00 worth of repairs? Continue reading →

Beware the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops. Luke 12:1-2 (read verses 12:1-34)

INTRO: Here it is, summer so I thought we might briefly revisit The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

There were two weeks when Tom was bedridden with the measles
– when he was well enough to get out and about, he noticed a change in town
– people seemed melancholy
Mark Twain explains, “There had been a ‘revival,’ and everybody had ‘got religion’”

“Got religion” is a classic example of American slang Continue reading →

Now when He had spoken, a Pharisee asked Him to have lunch with him; and He went in, and reclined at the table. When the Pharisee saw it, he was surprised that He had not first ceremonially washed before the meal. Luke 11:37-38 (read verses 37-54)

INTRO: Have you ever worked for a boss that was a jerk?

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
but when a wicked man rules, people groan. (Pr. 29:2)

– in other words, a jerk with power is the worst jerk of all

What was your boss’s favorite weapon? Ridicule? Rage? Threat? Continue reading →